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May 23, 1980
The Hockey News has been providing the most comprehensive coverage of the world of hockey since 1947. In each issue, you'll find news, features and opinions about the NHL and leagues across North America and the world.


Mystery Man Risi Pilots Red Wings
DETROIT—The Red Wings’ initial off season “re-evaluation” in April resulted in a major overhaul of the front office and Louis J. Risi Jr., landed in the catbird seat. There was another re-evaluation last week in Detroit with owner Bruce Norris and Risi, the club’s new executive vice-president and director of hockey operations, flying in from their home base in Miami. Moments after the conclusion of the day-long session, they were headed back. “It’s just an evaluation…Now that the dust has settled, we’ll see where we are and where we’re going,” said Ted Lindsay, coach and director of player personnel. The Wings hired a mystery coach—Bobby Kromm—three years ago. Now they have another mystery man running the front office. Risi, 43, is unknown to Detroit hockey fans. But there is little doubt he is in…


Hawks Assuredly Team On The Rise
CHICAGO—In the apartment of Black Hawk center Tom Lysiak there hangs a painting of a group of men starting their climb up a mountain. Across the picture are written these words: “Where you come from is not nearly as important as where you are going.” It is a fitting synopsis for the Black Hawks’ 1979-80 season that ended when they were eliminated by Buffalo in four games in the quarterfinals of the Stanley Cup playoffs. Where are the Hawks going? They seem destined to reach the National Hockey League’s upper crust within the next three years. Team Chicago is endowed with youth, talent, and ambition. General manager Bob Pulford has stockpiled draft choices and his successor as coach, Eddie Johnston, proved himself to be a remarkable leader of men during his first NHL season. Getting Johnston to…


Canadiens’ Ruel Agrees to Return
MONTREAL—Remember the prolonged melodrama last summer? Will Scotty Bowman be back to coach the Canadiens? Who will be his replacement? This time around, the Canadiens’ coaching situation is quite clear—Claude Ruel will be back behind the Montreal bench. Ruel, who will celebrate his 42nd birthday on Sept. 12, three days before the opening of training camp, confirmed that he would be back after leading the Canadiens from ninth place to third place in the overall standings. “We had a good season together,” Ruel explained. “I can’t see us do anything but go forward from there. “It’s too bad the way things finished, but we have a good young club. Sometimes you learn things in defeat. “I can not say enough about the leadership I got from people like Larry Robinson, Rejean Houle, Guy Lafleur and…


Pats’ Big Five Packed Potent Power Play Punch
LOUISVILLE HOCKEY STICKS LOUISVILLE HOCKEY STICKS REGINA—In this day and age of a three-team Memorial Cup tournament, not many major junior hockey teams get a chance to win the national championship on home ice. The Regina Pats, though, at least had the opportunity. Brent Pascal’s overtime goal gave Regina a 5-4 victory over Victoria, Cougars in the fifth game of the WHL’s best-of-seven final. Thus, the Pats won the series 4-1 and also grabbed their first Western Hockey League championship since 1973-74. With the victory, the Pats earned a spot in the Memorial Cup extravaganza, an affair which opened at Brandon’s Keystone Centre and then switched to Regina’s Agridome. Regina competed against the defending champion Peterborough Petes of the Ontario Major Junior League and the Quebec Major Junior League’s Cornwall Royals. Pat’s captain Doug Wickenheiser, a centerman…